Naruto: From Fake to Real, Deceiving the Ninja World.

"Sister, what do we do?"

Atsui, standing beside him, asked in a helpless tone, while the other two Chunin were also at a loss.

The three of them had found many headbands from Kumogakure, and even one or two headbands from Konoha.

However, there were no corpses, not even corpses, neither those of Cloud Village ninjas nor those of Konoha ninjas.

Only the strong, pungent stench lingered in the air, unable to be dissipated, and the soil beneath their feet was a deep, blood-red stain.

Even if the three of them were incredibly stupid, they would know where the corpses had gone in this situation.

"..."

Gazing at the bottomless void in the distance, Samui remained silent for a moment before withdrawing his gaze, exhaling calmly and saying, "Don't do anything unnecessary. Go back and report to Lord Raikage."

Although her intuition told her that the truth was right there, she calmed down and made the most rational decision.

If such a terrifying "monster" were still there, it would be far beyond what the four of them could possibly provoke.

The four figures disappeared into the night, and after they left, no creatures approached the area.

It's like a traveler walking in a jungle, seeing the carcass of prey torn apart by a wild beast, seeing the corpse in front of him that has been completely devoured.

Even though the predators have long since eaten their fill and left, travelers are still intimidated by the lingering ferocity in the air, enough to deter even the most greedy wild dogs and jackals.

Until everything around fell silent, a pitcher plant-like thing emerged halfway out of the blood-red soil.

The giant pitcher plant slowly opened, revealing a face that was half black and half white.

White Zetsu, and Black Zetsu possessing White Zetsu's body.

"What terrifying humans," White Zetsu exclaimed. "Luckily, I pulled you back in time before you jumped out, or you would have become fertilizer too."

Black Zetsu remained silent, gazing at everything before him, and fell into a deep silence.

The appearance of that guy was, to say the least, unexpected.

Even if one were to use the technique of the mayfly to hide far away underground, one could still feel the terrifying aura of that attack.

Although that attack was probably not as powerful as "Super Shinra Tensei", Black Zetsu could sense that the guy was in a weakened state.

If that guy could recover to his peak condition, he would probably be comparable to Madara in his prime.

And, those eyes...

Recalling those blue eyes he had seen from afar, Black Zetsu felt even more anxious and fearful.

For something like it, which has no real strength and can only resort to tricks, the most terrifying thing is the unexpected.

In its thousands of years of memories, the Rinnegan should be the pinnacle that these inferior humans can reach. Even that bastard Hagoromo Otsutsuki was nothing more than that in his lifetime. The only one who possessed a stronger Rinne Sharingan was its mother, Kaguya Otsutsuki.

But now, why, how could, have an eye that is no less powerful than the Rinnegan and is unheard of?

It seems there is only one possibility.

"People from outside the world..."

Thinking of this last possibility, Black Zetsu's body surface rippled, as if its body was trembling with fear.

In the ninja world, a "kindred spirit" and "otherworldly being" from the mother's memories has actually appeared?

Yes, even my mother didn't have eyes like that, so only someone from "outer heavens" could possess them!

"No! This is an opportunity I've waited a thousand years for. No one can stop me from helping my mother regain her freedom!" Black Zetsu's empty eyes narrowed slightly. "I must get Obito and Nagato to start collecting the Tailed Beasts immediately!"

If these Rinnegan eyes weren't something it had waited a thousand years to obtain, given Black Zetsu's cautious nature, it would probably have already hidden away, or at least waited until it confirmed the identity of the extraterrestrial before appearing.

Unfortunately, no, this is the best and last chance.

With this in mind, Black Zetsu took one last look at the distant void, then controlled White Zetsu to merge with the earth and swim towards the Land of Rain, making the same rational choice as Samui.

Even knowing that a secret was hidden there, it would never risk its life.

Its nature is to send others to scout ahead and then reap the benefits at the last moment.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside Konoha Hospital was extremely oppressive.

"A monster with blue eyes, a robe made of cyan chakra, the Ninja Cult, a hurricane that can be used without hand seals, an abyss that seals monsters..." Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes after hearing Hyuga Kumokawa's account.

If these weren't said by Yun Chuan, such a good boy, and if Qiu Daotang hadn't corroborated them, he probably would have considered them utterly absurd legends.

As if suddenly remembering something, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the boy in front of him and asked, "You said you saw a 'structure' inside that abyss?"

“Yes, I’m sure!” Hinata Kumokawa’s pale face regained some color. “However, I can’t see inside the building. Something is blocking my Byakugan.”

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi stroked his beard thoughtfully, his eyes gleaming.

Could there be any secrets or mystical arts left behind at the place where a monster that could very well have lived from ancient legends to the present day was sealed?

If it's true, if I could get it...

【Ding! 】

[Your lie has been judged as [Falsehood Becomes True], [Escape from the Cicada's Shell], [Blinded by a Leaf], [Luring the Enemy into a Trap], causing intense emotional fluctuations in Samui, Black Zetsu, White Zetsu, Akimichi Toudou, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and others, reaching the level of [Half-Belief, Half-Doubt]. You have gained 6000 Truth Points.]

[Remaining realization points: 16694]

Hearing the notification sound in his mind, Hinata Kumokawa's heart stirred slightly, and a smile arose in his heart.

The fish is hooked.

Black Zetsu is here too? What a pleasant surprise.

Chapter 46 They want war, so we'll give them war!

"Third generation sir."

Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was pondering, Akimichi Tou, who had mostly recovered, said in a hoarse voice, "Is war about to begin?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts were interrupted when he heard Akimichi Tou's question, and he couldn't help but sigh.

“Yes,” he replied, “at least for now.”

"We... cough cough! cough!"

Akimichi Tou felt a sudden heaviness in his chest. He opened his mouth to say something, but then coughed violently, staining the white sheets with specks of blood.

"Senior Tang Dong, please stop!"

Hinata Kumokawa quickly got up and went over to him, taking out a tissue to wipe the saliva and blood from the corner of his mouth, and then helped him lie down again with his arm.

Immediately, Hyuga Kumokawa looked at the silent Sarutobi Hiruzen, a hint of anger appearing on his face, and said, "Third Hokage, Kumogakure and Iwagakure have repeatedly pushed their luck. We can't hesitate any longer!"

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi paused for a moment, then lowered his head and gave a bitter smile, saying dismissively, "You're still young, you don't understand what war means..."

"No, I understand."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was interrupted before he could finish speaking. He subconsciously looked up and was met with a pair of pure eyes full of determination and resolve.

"No one wants to face the brutality of war. My father and mother both died on the battlefield."

The two locked eyes, and Hyuga Kumokawa said in a deep voice, "However, we have already retreated again and again, and there is nowhere left to retreat!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes paused slightly before he slowly said, "Why..."

"Because behind us is Konoha, our family and friends!" Hyuga Kumokawa said solemnly, word by word. "Third Hokage, please give the order. Even if it's just me, I'm willing to stand on the front line."

"They want war, so we'll give them war!"

Upon hearing this, the entire ward fell into a deathly silence. Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Touya Akimichi all looked at Akigaru Kumokawa with slightly lingering gazes, their previously timid hearts inexplicably stirred by a sudden emotion.

They simply couldn't believe that these words came from the mouth of a fifteen-year-old boy.

These adults and old folks seem to be no match for a child.

"...Yun Chuan".

After a long silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to have made a decision. His eyes, slightly gleaming, met Hyuga Kumokawa's gaze, and he said seriously, "Do you dare to say these words to anyone else?"

"I dare." Hinata Kumokawa nodded without hesitation.

Koharu Utatane, who was standing nearby, seemed to realize something and couldn't help but ask, "Hiruzen, you wouldn't be thinking of..."

“Yes.” Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. “I’m going to take this child to the Jonin meeting.”

"Lord Third Generation, this is unacceptable!"

Upon hearing this, Akimichi Tou's expression changed slightly, and he blurted out the answer instinctively.

As a member of a ninja clan, he knew those who also came from ninja clans all too well.

Even among the Akimichi clan, who are staunch supporters of the Hokage, there are still many who only care about their own and their clan's interests and refuse to risk their lives for Konoha as a whole.

To put it bluntly, this is the inherent weakness of the "ninja clan." The power of the ninja clan does not only come from wealth and military strength, but more importantly from the monopoly of knowledge and culture such as ninjutsu and secret techniques.

Ninjutsu is extremely precious, and it is very difficult for ninjas of commoner origin to acquire it. Only ninja clans can firmly grasp these resources through family inheritance and education.

Furthermore, the mutual trust and support among the ninja clans created a powerful and extensive social network. This network not only helped them gain higher political status but also consolidated their social influence, forming a fragile balance with the "Kage".

But that's all.

"Senior Doto," Hinata Kumokawa said calmly, "I'm going."

Looking at Hyuga Kumokawa's calm and determined expression, Akimichi Tou and Utatane Koharu felt a sense of emotion.

"I never expected that the traditionally conservative Hyuga clan would actually have members who would abandon their clan's prejudices."

Akimichi Toudou was, after all, a companion of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. Under his influence, his sense of belonging to Konoha surpassed his sense of belonging to his clan. Koharu Utatane was even more so under the influence of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

That's why they understood what Hinata Kumokawa's choice meant.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was naturally aware of this, so his gaze toward Hyuga Kumokawa became even gentler.

"Let's go then." He patted Hinata Kumokawa on the shoulder, then squeezed it gently with relief, saying, "Don't worry, you're not alone."

He was, after all, the Third Hokage; he hadn't reached the point of complete decay.

Hinata Kumokawa is right. Since there's no way to avoid it now, we can't hesitate any longer.

He now needs to act before Kumogakure can react, portraying them as the ones who initiated the conflict, stirring up the anger of the Konoha ninja and the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, and drawing some ninja from the ninja clans to form a force to strike first.

However, it is not easy to squeeze money out of those ninja clans. Even he, the Hokage, cannot force them to send their clansmen to the battlefield to die. Otherwise, it will inevitably cause those ninja clans to become disloyal and disobedient.

If it were a young ninja from the Hyuga clan, like Kumokawa, who would step forward voluntarily.

That would be a different story.

But this also means that Hyuga Kumokawa will become the one who sticks his neck out, and that he has betrayed the Hyuga clan and even the ninja faction.

This means a complete break with the Hyuga clan, or even the complete abandonment of one's surname and the resources the Hyuga clan provides.

It's important to know that before Hyuga Hizashi died, he entrusted Hyuga Kumokawa to Hyuga Hiashi, and the resources he would be able to obtain from the clan in the future would be far beyond what ordinary ninjas could match.

Therefore, this was by no means a decision or choice that could be made casually or easily, which is why Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other two were so surprised and gratified.

So, is Hinata Kumokawa really so noble and selfless?

--------

Click.

Hiruzen Sarutobi pushed open the conference room door, the light casting his shadow on the wall, along with the figure following behind him.

Under the conference room lights, not only their shadows were cast, but also the silhouettes of people swaying on the walls on both sides, some old and some young, some plain and simple and some ambitious.

The moment Hiruzen Sarutobi walked in, everyone present stood up in unison.

"Third generation sir."

A variety of voices rose up at that moment, some anxious, some deep, and some doubtful.

Although some people are still unclear about the reasons for this meeting, those with intelligence channels have already made some guesses.

Therefore, the address "Third Generation Lord" feels more like a form of oppression.

An overwhelming sense of pressure, as if everyone was speaking in unison, directed at Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage.

Chapter 47 If our heads are already hanging in the tiger's mouth, reasoning will not save us.

Hyuga clan head, Hyuga Hiashi...

No, now it should be said, Hyuga Hizashi.

Hyuga Hizashi is now playing the role of Hyuga Hiashi, and is feeling uneasy about his current situation.